Thirty years ago a disparate group of Ottawa writers decided it was time to get together. The initiators of Ottawa Independent Writers represented the full range of literature novelists (in many genres), poets, speechwriters, historians, journalists, essayists and more. By 1990 OIW had hundreds of members, had organized a succesful conference, and had published many newsletters and several anthologies. From the beginning, the OIW has always had this wide base, and this 30th anniversary anthology is evidence is evidence of the same spectrum. There continues to be a great deal of talent in OIW; some writers are beginners, others have years of writing experience. and some are starting to write after long experience in other fields. Every story in the anthology demonstrates the members' craft and skill. We can heartily recommend them to you, and we know you are sure to find a few -- or many -- that speak to you.